Oregon governor defies NRA, signs first new gun law since Florida shooting

Eric Boehlert

10 months ago

Oregon Democratic Gov. Kate Brown

Oregon Democratic Gov. Kate Brown leads the way by signing the nation's first new gun law since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Proving they won’t be bullied by the NRA, Democratic politicians are taking action after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. And Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is leading the way.

In a rebuke to gun safety opponents, Brown signed the nation’s first new gun bill into law following the Parkland shooting.

The law bans anyone convicted of stalking or domestic violence, or under restraining orders, from buying or owning firearms and ammunition. The fine for unlawful possession of guns and ammunition is $6,250 fine, 364 days in jail, or both.

“Supporters said the bill closed a loophole in a 2015 law that excluded some abusers, such as boyfriends who abuse partners they don’t live with,” the Associated Press reports.

“Today marks an important milestone, but we know we have more to do. It’s long past time we hold the White House and Congress accountable,” said Brown. “Now’s the time to enact real change and federal gun safety legislation.”

It’s definitely the time for change. Yet most Republicans remain intransigent, as they have always have been.

Following the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012, Republicans in Congress refused to vote on the background check bill supported by President Barack Obama.

And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made it clear there will be no Senate debate, let alone votes, on gun safety legislation.

Following the Parkland shooting, Trump claimed to support increasing the gun-buying age to 21. But after huddling with NRA executives, he soon backed off that common-sense idea.

Nationally, the NRA continues to exert extraordinary pressure on legislators. But that grip could now be weakening.

Along with the new law in Oregon — which the NRA fought relentlessly — five other states are currently advancing gun safety legislation. Meanwhile, retailers and corporate America are rethinking their relationship with the gun culture in America.

The gun lobby is trying to control the legislative debate in swing states like Florida. But it is having far less luck in blue states like Oregon, where Democrats control the legislature.

“I’m hopeful that the tide is turning on our nation’s gun debate,” Brown said. And she is helping lead the way.